To say that this last election cycle was…unusual…is a gross understatement. I was stressed and frustrated as I watched many people I care about slide into the leach pit of partisan politics.
To maintain sanity in today’s world (with its focus on partisan politics as both entertainment and a fight to the death), we need to free ourselves from the Roman bread-and-circuses model of politics. Instead, we should consider embracing Roman-style Stoicism if we wish to break free of the chaos that rules today’s politics.
Stoicism 101
Stoicism is described many ways – Buddhism with attitude, a practical philosophy, or a cold and harsh view of the world. Born in the Roman Republic over 2,000 years ago, it was followed by slaves and emperors, as well as people everywhere in between. It is a philosophy of real life and practicality. Many of the Founding Fathers followed it, including George Washington, who had his soldiers perform a play about famed early Stoic Cato while at Valley Forge.
The guiding principles of Stoicism revolve around deciphering what you can control while letting go of what you cannot. Also important is the primacy of reason over passion. Stoics exhibit self-control, acceptance of reality and courage to face the wrath of the mob. To be a Stoic means being prepared for the worst while being grateful for what you do have.
Stoicism is remaining humble and even thankful for difficult times as they can reveal your strengths. It means knowing you will die and should make the most of every day by being a good person. It means putting your beliefs into action instead of just saying words; it is always living in line with your values.
Stoics like to step away from day-to-day struggles and look at the big picture to understand their place and connection with it all. A quick look at politics in the last few years reveals that almost none of this exists in the political sphere, no matter the party or person.
Control and Political Involvement
What are some things one cannot control in the political realm? The candidates, fundraising, attack ads, backroom deals and who wins. We ourselves can run for office, but that does little good if hundreds of other politicians do not also have a change of heart. We can try to turn the overwhelming tide of hatred and fear, out-fundraise opponents, and yell about transparency, but to what avail?
What are some things we can control? What is within us. This includes the choices we make, the research we do, who we support and our reactions to election outcomes. We can try to weed out the bad candidates through proper vetting and research. We can give money and time to help those we support, and we can model civil discussions of policy instead of whataboutism and personal attacks. Lead by example in your behavior and remember the words of Seneca, “Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power.”
Wins and Losses in Stride
A Stoic takes wins and losses in stride, always seeking to learn from whatever happened. They would do research on people running for office, policy and legislation to determine the best course of action, independent of personality or charisma. They would resist jumping on the bandwagon with conspiracy theories and mobs, instead taking a reasoned and dispassionate look at whatever evidence was presented.
In some cases, they even serve under noxious leaders in an attempt to minimize their damage. Seneca did so for the emperor Nero, attempting to temper his worst impulses. He suffered exile and an eventual sentencing to suicide for his efforts.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.”
The above quote is from Marcus Aurelius and seems applicable almost 2,000 years since he wrote it to himself.
This country is a mess. Division and partisanship abound, stoked by protagonists on every side. America needs a good dose of reason and self-control.
Americans need to realize their leaders are fallible. One day we will cease to exist, and the world will go on without us and our petty squabbles. We need to look within and discover what values and principles are most important to us and hold ourselves to high standards. In turn, we must also hold our elected officials to just as high of a standard.
There is no better quote to wrap up with than the following from Emperor Aurelius: “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”
